The new series of Doctor Who started on Saturday, and as well as new adventures, fans welcomed the Time Lord's latest companion Bill Potts (played by Pearl Mackie).

Bill - who is known to be a bit geeky - works in a university canteen and is the first openly gay companion to appear in the cult series.

The role of the Doctor's loyal assistant has catapulted some stars into major stardom from Victoria actress Jenna Coleman to film star Karen Gillan - the Mirror reports.

Step into our very own TARDIS and take a journey through time to see how the companion's role has changed and what the actresses are doing now.

Jenna Coleman

Jenna Coleman, who plays the Doctor's companion Clara Oswald, arrives for the Doctor Who reception at Buckingham Palace

Played Clara (2013-2015) with Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi

After quitting Doctor Who she walked into the title role of hit ITV drama, Victoria, about the early years of Queen Victoria’s life. Jenna, 30, found herself the focus of more attention when she got together with her co-star on the show, Tom Hughes.

It finally put paid to rumours of a romantic link between the actress and Prince Harry.

Karen Gillan

Matt Smith is the youngest Doctor ever

Played Amy (2010-2012) with Matt Smith

First, she played 60s model Jean Shrimpton in a biopic. Then Karen, now 29, portrayed blue baddie Nebula in the first Guardians Of The Galaxy movie, and she’s about to appear in the next instalment. Plus, she’s signed up to feature in the next two Avengers movies. Here, she’s pictured in the forthcoming Jumanji sequel, which also stars The Rock and Jack Black.

Catherine Tate

Catherine Tate is backing a campaign to boost the number of stem cell donors in memory of Margot Martini.

Played Donna (2008-2010) with David Tennant

The comedy actress, 48, left the TARDIS and went on to star a movie version of Gulliver’s Travels, the play Much Ado About Nothing and BBC1 comedy Big School.

Last year, her musical, Miss Atomic Bomb, was panned by critics. The mum-of-one also appeared in the GOLD TV sitcom, Do Not Disturb. And she has toured the UK with The Catherine Tate Show – Live.

Freema Agyeman

Played Martha (2007-08) with David Tennant

The Doctor’s first black assistant went on to star in spin-off Torchwood. Also appeared in Law And Order: UK and US TV prequel to Sex And The City, The Carrie Diaries.

Freema, 38, plays lesbian writer Amanita in the Netflix series, Sense8. In one scene she bared all in a huge, bisexual orgy alongside her transgender girlfriend.

Billie Piper

Billie Piper plays Shelley (Image: Publicity picture)

Played Rose (2005-06) with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant

No sooner had she left the TARDIS than she was seen bedding men playing prostitute Belle du Jour in ITV drama series, Secret Diary Of A Call Girl.

Then Billie, now 34, leapt straight into dark horror series, Penny Dreadful, before winning an Olivier for her role in Yerma, in which she murders her husband.

In real life, her nine-year marriage to actor Laurence Fox, 38, ended in divorce last year. She quickly had two tattoos with the words “FOX” obscured and removed.

Daphne Ashbrook

Played Grace (1996) with Paul McGann

She appeared in the one-off TV movie with Paul McGann. Now 54, she has appeared in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Sophie Aldred

Played Ace (1987-89) with Sylvester McCoy

A voice actress on kids’ series including Dennis and Gnasher. Now 54 and wed to Sky Sports host Vince Henderson.

Bonnie Langford

Played Mel (1986-87) with Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy

She now plays Carmel Kazemi in EastEnders. Now 52, Bonnie has done TV’s Dancing On Ice and West End musical Spamalot.

Nicola Bryant

Played Peri (1984-86) with Peter Davison and Colin Baker

A back injury forced Nicola, 56, to scale back on acting. She was in a Doctor Who special on Pointless in 2013.

Sarah Sutton

Played Nyssa (1981-83) with Tom Baker and Peter Davison

As a “gesture to fans” she appeared in her undies in her final episode. Now 55, she works in a public library.

Janet Fielding

Played Tegan (1981-84) with Tom Baker and Peter Davison

The ex-theatrical agent, 63, with Paul McGann as a client, was said to be fighting cancer in 2012.

Lalla Ward

Romana II (1979-81) with Tom Baker

Married to Baker (1980-82). Now 65, she was an actress until she wed Prof Richard Dawkins in 1992. They split last year.

Lalla was the second actress to play the role of Romana.

Mary Tamm

Played Romana I (1978-79) with Tom Baker

Starred in Brookside but died of cancer last year, aged 62. Her husband Marcus Ringrose died hours after her funeral.

Louise Jameson

Played Leela (1977-78) with Tom Baker

She was Jim’s girlfriend in Bergerac and Rosa di Marco in EastEnders. At 65, she was in stage play The Mousetrap last year.

Elisabeth Sladen

Played Sarah Jane (1973-76) with Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker

She reprised her role in the cult show many times and, after a cameo with David Tennant's Doctor, she landed her own series, The Sarah Jane Adventures.

She died of cancer in 2011, aged 65.

Katy Manning

Played Jo (1971-73) with Jon Pertwee

She once posed nude next to a Dalek. She is married to Barry Crocker, who sang the Neighbours theme tune. Still acting at 70.

Caroline John

Played Liz (1970) with Jon Pertwee

Her stage and screen career ranged from TV's Doctors to Love Actually. Caroline died from cancer in 2012, aged 71.

Wendy Padbury

Played Zoe (1968-69) with Patrick Troughton

Wendy, aged 69, became a theatrical agent. She discovered future-Doctor Matt Smith at the National Youth Theatre.

Deborah Watling

Played Victoria (1967-68) with Patrick Troughton

Deborah, now 69, starred in hit movies with David Essex and Cliff Richard.

Anneke Wills

Played Polly (1966-67) with William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton

The mum-of-one, now 75, married three times. She has lived in an Indian ashram, as well as in California and Canada.

Jackie Lane

Played Dodo (1966) with William Hartnell

Jackie, now 76 and retired, set up an antiques business, did voice-over work, and became a theatrical agent.

Adrienne Hill

Played Katarina (1965) with William Hartnell

Katarina was the first companion to be killed off - a moment that stunned devotees. Adrienne died in 1997.

Maureen O'Brien

Played Vicki (1965) with William Hartnell

She admits the role required her to just "scream and look frightened". Now 73, she's a crime writer.

Carole Ann Ford

Played Susan (1963-64) with William Hartnell

An original companion, she played the Doctor's granddaughter. Carole, now 76, quit acting and called the role "a curse".

Jacqueline Hill

Played Barbara (1963-65) with William Hartnell

Another original, she was Susan's teacher. She returned to the show in 1980 in a guest role as Priestess Lexa, leader of the religiously fanatical Deonsbut.